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'''Anthroposophic medicine''' (or '''Anthroposophical medicine''') is an [[Integrative medicine|integrative medical]] system that extends [[Conventional medicine|conventional medical practice]] with an [[Anthroposophy|Anthroposophic]], more encompassing understanding of the human being as [[physical body]], [[life body]], [[soul]] (or [[Astral body|astral body]]) and [[I]]. Developed the 1920s by [[Wikipedia:Rudolf Steiner|Rudolf Steiner]] (1861–1925) in conjunction with Dr. med [[Wikipedia:Ita Wegman|Ita Wegman]] (1876–1943), anthroposophical medicine views these four aspects of the human being as interpenetrating and concretely relating to aspects in the natural world. Remedies are extracted from nature and used as [[phytotherapy]], [[Homeopathy|potentized substance]], or externally applied. Anthroposophic medicine has developed and expanded the fields of [[artistic therapy]]- [[painting therapy]], [[sculpture therapy]], [[music therapy]], [[speech therapy]] and [[Eurythmy therapy|eurythmy therapy]] (an Anthroposophic movement therapy). [[Anthroposophic Nursing]] extends the field of the practical nurse with a holistic approach towards [[illness]] and [[healing]] and uses [[Rhythmic massage|rhythmic massage]], [[Einreibung]], [[therapeutic baths]] like the [[oil dispersion bath]] and [[Herbal compresses|herbal compresses]]. [[Psychotherapy]] and [[biography work]] are also a part of Anthroposophic modalities. Anthroposophic medicine is practiced in over 65 countries with an estimated 24 institutions ([[Hospital|hospitals]], [[Hospital department|hospital departments]], [[Rehab center|rehab centers]]) in [[Wikipedia:Germany|Germany]], [[Wikipedia:Switzerland|Switzerland]], [[Wikipedia:Sweden|Sweden]], [[Wikipedia:Italy|Italy]], [[Wikipedia:The Netherlands|The Netherlands]], and the [[Wikipedia:United States|United States]] and over 240 [[Outpatient facility|outpatient facilities]] worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|first1=Gunver S.|last1=Kienle|first2=Hans-Ulrich|last2=Albonico|first3=Erik|last3=Baars|first4=Harald J.|last4=Hamre|first5=Peter|last5=Zimmermann|first6=Helmut|last6=Kiene|title=Anthroposophic Medicine: An Integrative Medical System Originating in Europe|pmc=3865373|journal=[[Glob Adv Health Med]]}}</ref> In [[Wikipedia:Europe|Europe]] there are over 2,700 [[Physician|physicians]] fully trained in Anthroposophic medicine and a survey found that 15,000 physicians prescribe Anthroposophic remedies in Europe.<ref>http://www.efpam.eu/medicine5.html</ref>   

'''Anthroposophic medicine''' (or '''Anthroposophical medicine''') is an [[Integrative medicine|integrative medical]] system that extends [[Conventional medicine|conventional medical practice]] with an [[Anthroposophy|Anthroposophic]], more encompassing understanding of the human being as [[physical body]], [[life body]], [[soul]] (or [[Astral body|astral body]]) and [[I]]. Developed the 1920s by [[Wikipedia:Rudolf Steiner|Rudolf Steiner]] (1861–1925) in conjunction with Dr. med [[Wikipedia:Ita Wegman|Ita Wegman]] (1876–1943), anthroposophical medicine views these four aspects of the human being as interpenetrating and concretely relating to aspects in the natural world. Remedies are extracted from nature and used as [[phytotherapy]], [[Homeopathy|potentized substance]], or externally applied. Anthroposophic medicine has developed and expanded the fields of [[artistic therapy]], [[painting therapy]], [[sculpture therapy]], [[music therapy]], [[speech therapy]] and [[Eurythmy therapy|eurythmy therapy]] (an Anthroposophic movement therapy). [[Anthroposophic Nursing]] extends the field of the practical nurse with a holistic approach towards [[illness]] and [[healing]] and uses [[Rhythmic massage|rhythmic massage]], [[Einreibung]], [[therapeutic baths]] like the [[oil dispersion bath]] and [[Herbal compresses|herbal compresses]]. [[Psychotherapy]] and [[biography work]] are also a part of Anthroposophic modalities. Anthroposophic medicine is practiced in over 65 countries with an estimated 24 institutions ([[Hospital|hospitals]], [[Hospital department|hospital departments]], [[Rehab center|rehab centers]]) in [[Wikipedia:Germany|Germany]], [[Wikipedia:Switzerland|Switzerland]], [[Wikipedia:Sweden|Sweden]], [[Wikipedia:Italy|Italy]], [[Wikipedia:The Netherlands|The Netherlands]], and the [[Wikipedia:United States|United States]] and over 240 [[Outpatient facility|outpatient facilities]] worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|first1=Gunver S.|last1=Kienle|first2=Hans-Ulrich|last2=Albonico|first3=Erik|last3=Baars|first4=Harald J.|last4=Hamre|first5=Peter|last5=Zimmermann|first6=Helmut|last6=Kiene|title=Anthroposophic Medicine: An Integrative Medical System Originating in Europe|pmc=3865373|journal=[[Glob Adv Health Med]]}}</ref> In [[Wikipedia:Europe|Europe]] there are over 2,700 [[Physician|physicians]] fully trained in Anthroposophic medicine and a survey found that 15,000 physicians prescribe Anthroposophic remedies in Europe.<ref>http://www.efpam.eu/medicine5.html</ref>   

===Key Concepts===

===Key Concepts===

Anthroposophic medicine basis itself on an accurate understanding of the human being. A physician must fulfill the requirements of a conventional medical training before qualifying as an Anthroposophic physician. [[Nurse|Nurses]] and [[Therapist|therapists]] have similar requirements. The concept of a [[Fourfold human being (Anthroposophic medicine)|fourfold]] aspect to the human being as well as a view of the [[Threefold human being (Anthroposophic medicine)|threefold]] aspect to the human being are important in Anthroposophic medicine.

Anthroposophic medicine bases itself on an accurate understanding of the human being. A physician must fulfill the requirements of a conventional medical training before qualifying as an Anthroposophic physician. [[Nurse|Nurses]] and [[Therapist|therapists]] have similar requirements. The concept of a [[Fourfold human being (Anthroposophic medicine)|fourfold]] aspect to the human being as well as a view of the [[Threefold human being (Anthroposophic medicine)|threefold]] aspect to the human being are important in Anthroposophic medicine.

====The Fourfold Human Being====

====The Fourfold Human Being====

The human being is viewed in four interrelating aspects. The most basic is the [[physical body]] which the human being has in common with [[Wikipedia:Mineral|minerals]], [[Wikipedia:Plant|plants]] and [[Wikipedia:Animal|animals]]. Without any other aspect, this would only be a [[Wikipedia:Corpse|corpse]]. The living element is called the life body or [[Etheric body|etheric body]] and it makes possible the properties of [[Wikipedia:Growth|growth]], [[Wikipedia:Metabolism|metabolism]] and [[Wikipedia:Reproduction|reproduction]] that are common in plant and animal organisms. The [[soul]] or [[astral body]] is common to animals and allows [[Wikipedia:Consciousness|consciousness]] and [[Wikipedia:Feeling|feelings]] to emerge. The [[spirit]] or "[[I]]" is unique to [[Human|humans]] and allows the activity of rational [[thinking]], [[self-control]]. Though the physical body is easily studied by analytic [[science]], Anthroposophic medicine does not give this undue precedent over the other aspects of the human being. Instead science is adapted into a form suitable to the unbiased study of each of the other three higher aspects. [[Goethean science]] is the intuitive scientific approach developed by [[Anthroposophy]].

The human being is viewed in four interrelating aspects. The most basic is the [[physical body]] which the human being has in common with [[Wikipedia:Mineral|minerals]], [[Wikipedia:Plant|plants]] and [[Wikipedia:Animal|animals]]. Without any other aspect, this would only be a [[Wikipedia:Corpse|corpse]]. The forces in this area are those that are present in machines. The living element is called the life body or [[Etheric body|etheric body]] and it is seen as the foundation of [[Wikipedia:Growth|growth]], [[Wikipedia:Metabolism|metabolism]] and [[Wikipedia:Reproduction|reproduction]] that man has in common with plant and animal organisms. The [[soul]] or [[astral body]] is common to animals and is seen as the cause of [[Wikipedia:Consciousness|consciousness]], [[Wikipedia:Feeling|feelings]], movement and their respective organs like muscles and nerves. The [[spirit]] or "[[I]]" is unique to [[Human|humans]] and allows the activity of rational [[thinking]], [[self-control]]. It is the reason for the upright posture, culture and morality.

 

Though the physical body is easily studied by analytic [[science]], Anthroposophic medicine does not give this undue precedent over the other aspects of the human being. Instead science is adapted into a form suitable to the unbiased study of each of the other three higher aspects. [[Goethean science]] is the intuitive scientific approach developed by [[Anthroposophy]].

The Anthroposophical View of Nature and the Human Being<ref>[[Heusser P. Anthroposophy and Science: An Introduction. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Peter Lang Publishing; 2016.]]</ref><ref>[[Bartelme RR. Anthroposophic Medicine, an Introduction; and a Book Review of Anthroposophy and Science. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017;16(4):42–46.]]</ref>

The Anthroposophical View of Nature and the Human Being<ref>[[Heusser P. Anthroposophy and Science: An Introduction. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Peter Lang Publishing; 2016.]]</ref><ref>[[Bartelme RR. Anthroposophic Medicine, an Introduction; and a Book Review of Anthroposophy and Science. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2017;16(4):42–46.]]</ref>